I've been playing this game for 9 years. I'm obviously incredibly old fashioned. I have rejoined about a month or two ago and it has been a real hard getting use to. I have found that the presence of the GE has hindered the economy more than gold buying and scamming ever could. People that sold raw materials such as nature runes, yews, magics either used what they had or found a buyer via forums, connections, what have you. But with the GE people can do without bargaining or selling it at a much cheaper price. They have to sell it at what Jagex tells them to. You use to be able to cut yews for an hour or two do a little merchanting and live a very healthy life style but now because of the GE you have to spend a few extra hours to make a living in runescape.